Russell “Jack” Smith grew up in Michigan w a brilliant mind & an appreciation for hard physical labor.
bit.ly/2tDL6mY
#OSS75
Jack graduated from @miamiuniversity in 1937.
@Cornell University he had a full scholarship & earned a Ph.D. in English Literature.
#OSS75
@miamiuniversity @Cornell Jack taught at @WilliamsCollege until #WWII.
He signed on w #OSS as a researcher & writer for the last 6 months of the war.
#OSS75
After teaching @wellscollege, Jack joined CIG & edited the Daily Summary—an analytic publication CIG & then CIA prepared for Truman.
#OSS75
Qualities that contributed to Jack’s rise @ CIA:
ability to research, write & edit clearly
insistence on quality
leadership skills
#OSS75
1957-1962: Jack served on the Board of National Estimates & was responsible for preparing estimates on foreign intentions.
#OSS75
Early 1960s, then-Deputy Director of Intel Ray Cline made Jack the director of Current Intelligence & then he made Jack his deputy.
#OSS75
During this time period, Jack faced many challenges, including the Cuban Missile Crisis.
1.usa.gov/1pVVv4o
#OSS75
1966-1971: Jack served as DDI & responsible for the analysis & dissemination of intel during Arab-Israel Six-Day & Vietnam wars
#OSS75
Jack created Office of Strategic Research to produce all-source, independent, strategic assessment of military developments & trends.
#OSS75
1973: Jack retired, colleagues described him as one of the best all-around substantive analysts in the Intelligence Community.
#OSS75
In retirement, Jack continued to write & produced more than a dozen books, including his memoir, "The Unknown CIA" (1989).
#OSS75
Reflecting on his career, Jack was asked what was most satisfying:
“I must say, I enjoyed it all.”
bit.ly/2tDL6mY
#OSS75
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